The role of moral emotions in happiness

Volume 1 - Issue 2

Vidya S. Athota

Abstract:

Research on human happiness has traditionally been associated with positive and negative emotions, rather
than its foundations in moral emotions. Using concepts of happiness taken the works of Aristotle and the field
of moral psychology, this paper investigated how happiness relates to moral emotions and human virtues as a
way of explaining the roots of happiness. As a part of this explanation, the paper explores the emotional side
of neuroplasticity, that is the brain’s ability to learn and adapt to happiness. This is complimented with an
investigation of the subjective experience of happiness through moral emotions, which illustrates that being
sensitive and acting on moral emotions with reference to virtues can promote human happiness. In the final
analysis, this paper suggests that moral emotions not only help to provide a code of conduct they are also
provide a guiding mechanism for happiness.

Keywords

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The Journal of Happiness and Well-Being is an online international electronic journal, published two times a year (January and July). Articles may be contributed at any time for publication consideration. Potential articles are reviewed by members of an editorial review committee.